Honduras fans can exhale.
After leaving the Houston Dynamo-LA Galaxy game in the 18th minute, Honduran midfielder Boniek García looks to have escaped a major injury issue before heading to the Catrachos' pre-World Cup camp Monday.
“It’s a minor hamstring strain, so that’s what they tell me,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “I don’t think it’s terrible. It’s not something that’s going to keep him out for a long period of time, but he said he felt something in the back of his leg. That’s where the icepack went, and it was enough to take him out of the game.”
Without another of their stars -- Brad Davis, who is in the USMNT’s pre-World Cup camp -- the Dynamo were able to pull off a 1-0 win thanks to a Giles Barnes goal.
That was cause for celebration. García’s injury was cause for concern. After trying to collect a ball in the attaking half of the field, the Honduran stopped, clutched at his right leg, and motioned for a substitute immediately. He then dropped to ground, and was eventually replaced by Omar Cummings.
“I’m not worried,” García said through a translator after the game. “After being taken a look at by the doctor for 20 minutes it was more precautionary than anything.”
Precaution is understandable considering what García has riding on the next two months. The midfielder is an integral part of Luis Fernando Suarez’s squad, starting nine of 10 games in the Hexagonal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
It also keeps alive a dream of finally play in the World Cup. Boniek was with Honduras at the 2010 World Cup but did not see any minutes.
“Boni’s a massive part of the team and a great guy and is someone great to be around and everyone on the team loves him,” said Andrew Driver. “I hope he’s fine … he’s got an exciting few weeks coming up.”
Darrell Lovell covers Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
